Austal has already delivered eight of these ships with six currently under construction and three awaiting construction. With the addition of these two new ships, that means Austal USA is positioned to build 19 Independence-class littoral combat ships. Austal also builds the Navy’s highly-successful Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) in Mobile.

The specific value of each contract is under the congressional cost cap of $584 million per ship. Perciavalle said the company prides itself on making on-time and on budget ships for the U.S. military.

“The skill, hard work and dedication of our employees is second to none and strengthens as we continue to play an important role in helping build the Navy’s 355-ship fleet,” Perciavalle said.

Senator Richard Shelby said on Twitter today how the announcement is a great advancement for the Navy as well as Alabamians in general.

The @USNavy has awarded @Austal_USA in #Mobile a contract to build two of the three additional Littoral Combat Ships appropriated for #FY2019. Another significant win for #Austal & further highlights our state's outstanding defense capabilities. #LCS

Congressman Bradley Byrne, who represents Mobile and has long advocated for the LCS on the Armed Services Committee, called the two-ship contract a “huge development.”

“This marks the 4th straight year Austal has received 2 of the 3 Littoral Combat Ship contracts,” Byrne said. “This demonstrates that our Alabama shipyard is meeting the needs and demands of the Navy on time and on budget. My hats off to the entire team of close to 4,000 men and women at the Austal shipyard.”